Me... dirty? It’s all perception, says hard man Etzebeth

IF IT is a physical and bruising battle that the Springboks will be hoping to win in their opening Test against France at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday then there is no better man to lead their charge than abrasive lock Eben Etzebeth.

The 25-year-old Etzebeth does not shy away from confrontation and has openly expressed his excitement at getting stuck into the French who are also relishing the prospect of the toe-to-toe war with the Springboks.

The hosts will need to show a hard edge in the collisions after having been outsmarted, outplayed and outmuscled for the better part of last year in a horrible season.

But for the Springboks to dominate will take a solid effort from the entire pack.

“Saturday is going to be a physical encounter. From one to eight we’re really looking forward to it and for me especially, we’re going to climb into their forwards,” Etzebeth said.

“They are a physical pack and we have to front up in that regard and we are not singling out anybody but look at them as a whole.”

Etzebeth fully appreciates the stigma that comes with enforcers like him.

Although he may have picked up a reputation of being a dirty player over the years with his overzealousness and intimidating frame, the 54 Test veteran says discipline will be key for the Springboks.

He is quick to cite his near blemish-free disciplinary record in six years at international and Super Rugby, and rubbished claims that he is a dirty player, calling this a “perception”.

“I suppose people can believe what they want.

“I know what I can bring to the team, and I know that in over 100 games for the Stormers and Boks, I’ve only conceded two yellow cards.

“(But) you don’t want to give away points or cards in a game like this” said Etzebeth.

The Stormers lock is now one of the senior players in the side.

Etzebeth has already captained the Stormers twice during this year’s Super Rugby campaign and he has become an integral member of the Springboks leadership group.

Come Saturday France should not be fooled by the measured talk of the giant lock, though, because the inner competitor will be unleashed along with the other seven forwards who are eager to forge a new journey for the once mighty and feared Springboks.

“I want to make an impact but at the same time I’m confident that the seven forwards around me can also do a job,” Etzebeth said.